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 Eupedia Top > England Guide Top > Cornwall > Newquay |
 NewquayNewquay (pop. 18,000) is the surfing capital of England as well as one of its most crowded beach resort (the summer population booms to 100,000, over fivefold that of the rest of the year). It's a good place to party (in summertime the town is full of nightclubs and girls in bikini), sunbathe or catch a wave, but if that is not your idea of fun, don't bother coming here.HistoryThe small village of Towan Blystra was first mentioned in the 15th century, and in in 1439 the locals applied to the bishop of Lacey Exeter to build a "New quay" from which the town derives it's current name. The economy was almost exclusively based on pilchard fishing before the arrival of tourism. Sightseeing & ActivitiesThe best surfing beach is Fistral Beach. If you are just beginning or prefer to relax, the 3.5km long Waterbay Bay is what you are looking for. For the hikers, Towan Head commands great view on the town, beaches and sea. When you get bored of the beach or feel like seeing other animals than the party variety, head for the Blue Reef Aquarium, or the Newquay Zoo. For days of bad weather, Newquay Waterworld has a tropical swimming pool with a 60m slope as well as a fitness centre. Around Newquay5km southeast of Newquay is the fine Elizabethan manor of Trecice (open 28 March to 31 October, 11am to 5:30pm; closed on Saturdays, and also Tuesdays before 19 July and after 12 Sept.; admission £4.70). It was built in 1571 and retains much of its original splendour. The interior decoration includes plaster ceilings, Stuart portraits, clocks and 17-18th century oak and walnut furniture. But what distinguishes Terrice from other stately homes is its rare collection of lawn-mowers (about 100 pieces) in the great barn.How to get thereThere are trains from London Paddington (6h, £55 super advance single), Exeter (3h30min to 2h45min, £20.70), Plymouth (1h30min, £9.20). all with a change at Par (45min, £4.30) . National Express has coaches from London (7h, £33), Exeter (3h30min, £16.50), Plymouth (1h50min, £5.25), Penzance (1h30min, £4.75) and St Ives (1h15min, £4.75).
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